Accumulator mechanism.



UNTTnD STATES PATENT Ormes.

MYRON J. 'WI-IITLOCK, OF ANSONIA, CONNECTICUT.

ACCUIVIULATOR MECHANISIVI.

SICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent No. 719,628, dated February 3, 1905.31. Application lcd Jannary 30, 1902. Serial No. 91,863. (No model.)

To all whom, it' may concern:

Beit known that I, MYRON J. WHITLocK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ansonia, county of New Haven, and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Accumulator Mechanism, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in accumulator mechanism of the hydraulic type.

In hydraulic accu mulators as ordinarily constructed it is necessary when in the operation of the accumulator any considerable quantity of liquid is to be returned to the pressure-chamber to empty the liquid out of the chamber, after which, of course, the chamber must be refilled in order to place the accumulator in operative condition. Thus, for instance, where an accumulator is used for the purpose of producing the necessary pressure on the rolls of a calender Whenever the rolls are to be raised any considerable amount it is necessary to allow the water which is displaced from the pressure device on the call ender-frame and which is forced back into` the pressure-chamber of the accumulator to escape from this chamber, and when, therefore, the rolls are again placed in operative condition the pressure-chamber of the accumulator must be refilled. Furthermore, thecock by which the pressure-chamber of the, accumulator is emptied is, as pressure-accu-` mulators are usually constructed, entirely disconnected Yfrom the mechanism for operating the power device which the accumulator controls-as, for instance, in calenders the mechanism for raising the rolls is entirely disconnected in operation from the cock which controls the amount of liquid in the pressure-chamber. It may happen, therefore, that the attendant will attempt to shift the position of the power devices without opening the pressure-chamber of the accumulator to allow the liquid to escape therefrom, and breakage is liable to result.

It is one of the objects of this inventionto produce an accumulator which is provided with a liquid-containing chamber into which the liquid may flow from the pressure-chamber when the action of the pressure-applying means of the accumulator is suspended and the liquid is caused to flow back into the chamber.

A further object of the invention is to produce an improved accumulator mechanism by which the action of the pressure device of the accumulator mechanism may be suspeuded when the position ofthe power-applying device is changed.

With, these and other objects in view the invention consists in certain constructions and in certain parts, improvements, and combinations, as will be' hereinafter fully described and then specifically pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

For convenience and to make the construction clear the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicate the same parts, show the' improved accumulator mechanism in connection with the calender mechanism cfa paper-making machine, though the selection of this form of mechanism to illustrate the operation of the improved accumulator mechanism isentirely arbitrary. In said drawings- Figure l is a side elevation of a stack of calender-rolls with the improved accumulator mechanism applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the improved accumulator mechanism. Fi g. 3 is a side elevation of a modified construction.

Referring to said drawings, l indicates one of lthe side frames of the machine, and the journals of the several calender-rolls are indicated at 2. It will be understood, of course, that the calender will comprise two side frames; but as only one side of the' machine is necessary to illustrate the invention only one side frame is shown. The journals ot' the rolls are mounted in suitable sliding bearings, which are indicated at 3, these bearings being a common feature in this class of machines.

In the construction which has been chosen to illustrate the invention the accumulator operates through suitable connections to force the rolls of the calender` into operative relation. While the mechanism by which the accumulator forces the rolls into operative relation may be of any desired description, there is mounted on the bearings of thc up- TOO per roll of the stack a ,chamber-4, which contains a ram 5, said ram bearing against the cap-piece 6 of the side frame. In the preferred form of the construction there Will be one of these ram-containing chambers on each side of the frame, although a single ram-containing chamber properly mounted might be employed instead of two chambers. In the present machine, however, two chambers will be employed; but as the chambers and the parts immediately connected with them are duplicated on opposite sides of the machine only one side is shown.

The accumulator, which may be of any suitable form and construction, comprises a casting 7, which has formed therein in any suitable manner a pressure-chamber 8. This pressure-chamber communicates in any suitable manner, as by a pipe 9, with the ram-containing chamber 4. Pressure may be produced in the pressure-chamber of the accumulator in any suitable manner-as, for-instance, by the usual plunger lO, which is provided With ordinary packing 11.

The means by Which the plunger is caused to produce pressure on the liquid in the pressure-chamber may be varied Within Wide limits. As shown, the upper end of the plunger is provided with a loop l2, through which passes the usual pressure-lever 13, Which is pivoted at 14 to a link 15, which is in turn pivoted at 16 to the casting 7.

While the accumulator may be located in any desired position, it Will when used in connection with a calender preferably be bolted tothe side frame of the machine.

The lever 13 may be operated in any desired manner in order to produce the required pressure on the plunger. As shown, a Weight 17 is provided for this purpose, said Weight being adjusted, as is usual, along the end of the lever. ln order to guide the accumulator-plunger in its movements, the loop 12 is provided with a short rod or pin 18, the upper end of said pinmoving in a strap 19, secured to the side frame of the machine.

The devices which are employed to produce a movement of the power-applying means, which in the machine now being described are rolls, in opposition to that produced by the accumulator may be of any suitable description. Preferably, however, the powerapplying means will be operated by hydraulic means. top of the machine-frame a cylinder 20, which contains a ram 21, said ram operating asuitable cross-bar 22, from which extend downward suitable lifting-rods 23. These liftingrods 23 are provided With lifting-bars 24,Which take under the ends of the journals of the rolls. lt will be understood that this mechanism is or may be duplicated on each side of the machine.

The liquid by which the ram 2l is operated may be obtained from any suitable source and forced into the ram in anysuitable manner-as, for instance, by an accumulator.

As shown, there is mounted on thev Preferably, however, and as shown, this liquid Will be supplied to the chamber containing the ram 21 by means of a force-pump of ordinary construction. The chamber of this pump is indicated at 25, said chamber being shown as bolted to the side frame of the malin any desired manner--as, for instance, by

means of a winch and chain, such a construction being shown in Fig. 3, in Whichthe Winch is marked 23, and the chain, which is connected to the end of the accumulator-lever, is marked 29. Preferably, however, the pressure on the accumulator-lever will be relieved by hydraulic mechanism-such, for instance, as a ram. When a ram is employed for relieving pressure on the accumulator-lever, it may be located at any suitable point. Preferably,however,the casting 7 will have formed therein a chamber 30, provided with a ram 3l, the head of which bears against the lever. As shown, the lever is made angular in form and the ram is provided with a cleft head 32, which engages the lever.

The liquid by which the ram 31 is operated may be supplied from any suitable source. Preferably, however, it will be supplied from the vsource from which liquid is supplied to the hydraulic lifting mechanism, and preferably, also, the connections will be of such a character that this ram which operates the accumulator-lever will be operated automatically and before the roll-lifting ram is operated. In the construction shown the pipe 27, which leads from the pump 25 to the roll-lifting ram 21, is provided with a branch 33, which leads to the chamber 30, and the pressure area of the ram 3l is made less in proportion to the Weight -to be lifted than theA pressure area of the ram 2l. It is apparent, therefore, that when the pump 25 is operated the liquid will be forced into the chamber 30 and the ram 31 operated before the ram 2l is operated. The lever 13 will therefore be lifted and the pressure in the accumulator-chamber relieved before the rolls are raised.

It is apparent that when the rolls are raised liquid will be caused to :run from the chamber 4 back into the pressure-chamber of the accumulator, and in the preferred form of the construction provision is made for disposing 4of this surplus liquid. While the construction by Which the surplus liquid is disposed of may be varied, there is provided a chamber 34, Which is located in the casting 7 and preferably above the chamber 8. This chamber 34 is connected with the pressure'- vchamber 8 by a suitable conduit or conduits.

In the construction shown a plurality of conduits is employed, said conduits being marked 35. While the flow of liquid through the conduits may be controlled in any desired manner, it will preferably be automatically controlled and by the movement of the pressure-plunger 10. In order to effect this, in the construction shown the mouths of the conduits 35 are located in the walls of the chamber 8 andare so disposed as to be opened and closed by the movement of the plunger l0. When the plunger 10, therefore, is raised in the manner hereinbeforedescribed,commu nication is established between the chamber 3 and the chamber 34, and the liquid which returns to the chamber 8 will be allowed to flow into the chamber 34.

The chamber 34 is preferably provided with a yielding side or wall, so that its capacity may be increased relatively to the amount of liquid introduced thereinto, and this wall is also preferably depended upon to positively expel the liquid from the chamber. This yielding Wall may be of any desired construction. As shown, however, it is formed by means of a plunger 36, which plunger is preferably operated to positively expel the liquid from the chamber when the pressure is to be restored in the accumulator by the lever 13. To this endin the construction shown the plunger 36 is perforated and the plunger 10 passes through it. The upper end of the plunger is surrounded by a spring 7, bearing against the loop 12 and against the top of the plunger 36. It is apparent that when the powerapplying means, which in the machine illustrated is the rolls, is allowed to return to the position which it occupied before the lifting devices operated, the plunger 36 will also be moved downward by the spring and will cause the liquid in the chamber 34 to ilow through the conduits 35 into the pressure-chamber, thus returning the apparatus as a whole to a position where the operation of the accumulator-lever will produce pressure in the chamber S.

Vhen the construction is arranged as shown, the chamber 34 can be used as a storage-chamber from which to supply additional liquid to the pressure-chamber from time to time as may be necessary when the supply in the chamber diminishes from leakage or from any other cause.

The pipe 27 is shown as provided with the usual poppet-valve, the casing of which is indicated at 38. When the liquid is to be allowed to ret-urn from the chamber 2O through the pipe 27, it passes through the valved bypass 39, as is usual in such constructions.

While the construction which has been above described is an effective one for carrying out the invention, it is to be understood that the invention may be embodied in other constructions which diifer'widely therefrom. While, furthermore, the accumulator mechanism which has been described is particularly eective for use in connection with the calender-rolls of paper-making machines, it maybe used in many other relations. It will also be understood that certain features of the invention may be used independently of other features and that such independent use is contemplated. The invention is not, therefore, to be limited to the specific construction hereinbefore described nor to the specific use described.

What is claimed is- 1. The combination with a hydraulic accumulator, of a hydraulic cylinder to which the accumulator supplies liquid under pressure, a power-applying means connected with said cylinder, a second hydraulic cylinder arranged to produce an operation of said powerapplying means in opposition to the first cylinder, means for supplying liquid under pressure to the second hydraulic cylinder, and means connected with said liquid-supplying means for controlling the operation of the accumulator, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a hydraulic accumulator, of a hydraulic cylinder to which the accumulator supplies liquid under pressure, a power-applying means connected with said cylinder, a second hydraulic cylinder arranged to produce an operation of said powerapplying means in opposition to the first cylinder, a pump for supplying liquid under pressure to the second hydraulic cylinder, and means including a hydraulic lifting device connected with said pump, whereby said pump controls the operation of the accu mulator, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a hydraulic accumulator, said accumulator embodying pressure-producing means including a lever, ofa hydraulic cylinder to which the accumulator supplies liquid under pressure, a power-applyingmeans connected to said cylinder, asecond hydrauliccylinder arranged to produce an operation of said power-applying means in opposition to the first cylinder, means for supplying liquid under pressure to the second hydraulic cylinder, and means connected with said liquid-su pplying means for controlling the operation of the accumulator-lever, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a hydraulic accumulator, said accumulator embodying pressure-producing means including a lever, of a hydraulic cylinder to which the accumulator supplies liquid under pressure, a power-applying means connected to said cylinder,a second hydraulic cylinder arranged to produce an operation of said power-applying means in opposition to the first cylinder, a pump for supplying liquid under pressure tothe second hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic lifting device for the accumulator-lever, and connections between the pump and said hydraulic lifting device, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a hydraulic accumulator, of a hydraulic cylinder to which the accumulator supplies liquid under pressure, a power-applying means connected to said cyl- IOO IIO

irq

loy

inder, a ram-containing cylinder the ram in said cylinder being arranged to produce an operation of said power-applying means in opposition to said first cylinder, a ram-containing cylinder for controlling the operation of the accumulator, and means iu open communication with both ram-containing cylinders for supplying liquid under pressure thereto, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a hydraulic accumulator, of a hydraulic cylinder to which the accumulator supplies liquid under pressure, a power-applying means connected with said cylinder, a ram-containing cylinder the ram in said cylinder being arranged to produce an operation of said power-applying means-in opposition to the first cylinder, a ram-containing cylinder for controlling the operation of the accumulator the ram of said cylinder having a less pressure area in proportion to the weight to belifted than the ram in the other cylinder, and means in open communication with both ram-containing cylinders for supplying liquid under pressure thereto, whereby the ram which controls the operation of the accumulator will be caused to operate before the other ram, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a hydraulic accui mulator, said accumulator having a pressureproducing means including a lever, of a hydraulic cylinder to which the accumulator supplies liquid under pressure, a power-applying means connected to said cylinder, a ram-containing hydraulic cylinder arranged to produce an operation of said power-applying means in opposition to the irst cylinder, a cylinder containing a lifting-ram for operating ou the accumulator-lever, a liquid-forcing device, and connections between said device and both of said ram-containing cylinders, substantially as described.

8. The combination witha hydraulic accumulator said accumulator having pressureproducing means including a lever, of a hydraulic cylinder to which the accumulator supplies liquid under pressure, a power-applying means connected with said cylinder, a

ram-containing hydraulic cylinder arranged 'to produce an operation of said power-applying means in opposition to the first cylinder, a cylinder containing a lifting-ram for operating upon the accumulator-lever, said ram having aless pressure area than the other ram in proportion to the weight to be lifted, and a liquid-forcing device in open communication with both ram-containing cylinders, whereby the ram which controls the operation of the accumulator will be caused to operate before the other ram, substantially as described.

9. The combination with a hydraulic accumulator said accumulator having pressureproducing means including a lever, of a hydraulic cylinder to which the accumulator supplies liquid under pressure, a power-applying means connected with said cylinder, a ram-containing hydraulic cylinder arranged to produce an operation of said power-applying means in opposition to the first cylinder, a cylinder containing a lifting-ram for operating upon the accumulator-lever, said ram having a less pressure area than the other ram in proportion to the weight to be lifted, and

apump inopeu communication with both ram-- containing cylinders, whereby the ram which controls the operation of the accumulator will be caused to operatebefore the other ram, substantially as described.

10. The combination with a hydraulic accumulator comprising a pressure-chamber and plunger, of means for giving the plunger plying movements,substantially as described.

12. In a hydraulic accumulator, the combination with the pressure-chamber and pressure-producingmeans, of a liquid-containing chamber, and means whereby communication may be established between the pressurechamber and said liquid-containing chamber when the action of the pressure-applying means is suspended, substantially as described.

13. In a hydraulic accumulator, the combination with the pressure-chamber and pressure-producing means, of a liquid-containing chamber, means for automatically establishing communication between the pressurechamber and said liquid-containing chamber when the action of the' pressure-supplying means is suspended and the fluid which has been forced from the pressure-chamber is returned thereto, substantially as described.

14. In a hydraulic accumulator, the combination with the pressure-chamber and the pressure-applying plunger, of a liquid-containing chamber, and means controlled by the movement of the plunger for establishing communication between the pressure-chamber and said liquid-containing chamber, substantially as described.V

15. In a hydraulic accumulator, the combination with the pressure-chamber and plunger, of means for causing a movement ot' the plunger in both directions, a liquid-containing chamber, and means controlled by the plunger for establishing communication between the pressure-chamber and theliquidcontaining-chamber, substantially as described.

16. In a hydraulic accumulator, the ccmbination withthe pressure-chamber and pl .2nger, of means for causing the movement of the plunger to produce pressure in the cham- IOO IIO

ber, a ram for producing the pressure-relieving movement of the plunger, a liquid-con! taining chamber, and means controlled by the plunger for establishing communication between the pressure-chamber and the liquid-containing chamber, substantially as described.

17. In a hydraulic accumulator, the combination with the pressure-chamberand plunger, of means for causing the plunger to move in two directions, a liquid-containing chamber, a conduit connecting said chamber with the pressure-chamber, the mouth of the conduit which opens into the pressure-chamber lying in the path of the plunger so as to be opened and closed thereby, substantially as described.

18. In a hydraulic accumulator, the combination with the pressure-chamber and plunger, of means for giving the plunger its pressure-producing movement, a ram for producing the pressure-relieving movement of the plunger, a liquid-containing chamber, and a conduit connecting said chamber with the pressure-chamber the mouth of the conduit which opens into the pressure-chamber lying in the path of the plunger so as to be opened and closed thereby, substantially as described.

19. In a hydraulic accumulator, the conibination with the pressure-chamber and pressure-producing means, of a liquid-containing chamber having a yielding wall, and means whereby communication may be established between the pressure-chamber and said liquid-containing chamber when the action of the pressure-applying means is suspended, substantially as described.

20. In a hydraulic accumulator, the combination with the pressure-chamber and pressure-producing means, of a liquid-containing chamber having a yielding wall, means for automatically establishing communication between the pressure-chamber and said liquid-containing chamber when the action of the pressure-supplying means is suspended and the Huid which has been forced from the pressure-chamber is returned thereto, substantially as described.

2l. In a hydraulic accumulator, the combination with the pressure-chamber and the pressure-applying plunger, of a liquid-containing chamber having a yielding wall, and means controlled bythe movement of the plunger for establishing communication between the pressure-chamber and said liquidcontaining chamber, substantially as described.

22. In a hydraulic accumulator, the combination with the pressure-chamber and plunger, of means for causing a movement of the plunger in both directions, a liquid-containing chamber having a yielding wall, and means controlled by the plunger for establishing communication between the pressurechamber and the liquid-containing chamber, substantially as described.

23. In a hydraulic accumulator, the combination with the pressure-chamber and plunger, of means for causing the movement of the plunger to produce pressure in the chamber, a ram for producing the pressure-relieving movement of the plunger, a liquid-containing chamber having a yielding wall, and means controlled by the plunger for establishing communication between the pressurechamber and the liquid-containing chamber, substantially as described.

24. In a hydraulic accumulator, the combination with the pressure-chamber and plunger, of means for causing the plunger to move in two directions, a liquid-containing chamber having a yielding wall, a conduit connecting said chamber with the pressure-chamber, the mouth of the conduit which opens into the pressure-chamber lying in the path of the plunger so as to be opened and closed thereby, substantially as described.

25. In a hydraulic accumulator, the combination with the pressure-chamber and plunger, of means for giving the plunger its pressure-producing movement, a ram for producing the pressure-relieving movement of the plunger, a liquid-containing chamber having a yielding wall, and a conduit connecting said chamber with the pressure chamber the mouth of the conduit which opens into the pressure-chamber lying in the path of the plunger so as to be opened and closed thereby, substantially as described.

26. In a hydraulic accumulator, the combination with the pressure-chamber and plunger, of a liquid-containing chamber, a plunger located in said chamber, connections between the two chambers, a pressure-applying device, and means whereby said pressure-applying device controls the position of both plungers, substantially as described.

27. In a hydraulic accumulator,the combination wit-h the pressure-chamber and plunger, of a liquid-containing chamber, a plunger in said chamber, a conduit connecting the two chambers the mouth of said conduit which enters the pressure-chamber lying in the path of and being opened and closed by the plunger in said chamber, pressure-producing means, and connections between said means and both plun gers, substantially as described.

28. In a hydraulic accumulator, the combination with the pressure-chamber and plunger, of a liquid-containing chamber, a plunger in said chamber, a conduit connecting the two chambers the mouth of the conduit which enters the pressure-chamber lying in the path of and being controlled by the plunger in said chamber, a pressure-applying 1ever, connections between said lever and both plungers, and means for moving said lever in two directions, substantially as described.

29. In a hydraulic accumulator, the combination with the pressure-chamber and plunger, of a liquid-containing chamber,` a plunger in said chamber, a conduit connecting IOO IIO

the two chambers the mouth of the conduit which enters the pressure-chamber lying in the path of and being controlled by the plunger in said chamber, a pressure-lever connected to the plunger' in the pressure-chamber, and a sliding connection between said plunger and the plunger in the liquid-containing chamber, substantially as described.

30. In a hydraulic accumulator, the combination with a liquid-containing chamber, of a perforated plunger in said chamber, la pressure-chamber located below the liquid-containing chamber, a conduit connecting the two chambers, a plunger located in the pressure-chamber said plunger passing through the perforation in the plunger in the liquidcontaining chamber and being arranged to open and close that mouth of the conduit which communicates with the pressure-chamber, a spring surrounding the plunger and bearing on the perforated plunger, a pressure-lever, and means for moving the lever in two directions, substantially as described.

3l. In a hydraulic accumulator, the combination with the pressure-chamber and plunger, ot"V a liquid-containing chamber, a plunger in said chamber, a conduit connecting the two chambers the mouth ot' the conduit which enters the pressure-chamber lying in the path of and being controlled by the plunger in said chamber, a pressure-applying lever, connections between said lever and both plungers, means for giving the lever a movement in a direction to cause it to apply pressure, and a ram for moving the lever in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

32. In a hydraulic accumulator, the combination with a liquid-containing chamber, of a perforated plunger in said chamber, a pressure-chamber located below the liquid-containing chamber, a conduit connecting the two chambers, a plunger located in the pressure-chamber said plunger passing through the perforation in the plunger in the liquidcontaining chamber and being arranged to open and close that mouth of the conduit which communicates with the pressure-chamber, a spring surrounding the plunger and bearing on the perforated plunger, a pressure-lever, means for giving the lever a movement in a direction to cause it to apply pressure, and a ram for moving the lever in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

33. The combination with the pressurechamber of a hydraulic accumulator and its plunger, of a liquid-containing chamber, a plunger in said chamber, a conduit connecting the two chambers the mouth of the conduit which enters the pressure-chamber lying said cylinder, a second hydraulic cylinder arranged to produce an operation of the powerapplying means in opposition to the first cylinder, means for supplying liquid under pressure to said second hydraulic cylinder, a ram operating on the pressure-applying lever ot the accumulator, and connections between said liquid-supplying means and the ram, substantially as described.

34. The combination with the pressure-` tor, a power-applying means connected with said cylinder, a second hydraulic cylinder arranged to produce an operation of the powerapplying means in opposition to the first cylinder, a pump for supplying liquid under pressure to said second hydraulic cylinder, a ram operating on the pressure-applyinglever of the accumulator, and connections between said pump and the ram, substantially as described.

35. The combination with the pressurechamber ot' a hydraulic accumulator and its plunger, of a liquid-containing chamber located above said pressu re-cham ber, a plunger in said chamber, a pressure-applying lever connected to both plungers, a conduit connecting the two chambers the mouth of the conduit which enters the pressure-chamber being arranged to be opened and closed by the plunger in said chamber, a hydraulic cylinder, connections between said cylinder and the pressure-chamber of the accumulator, a power-applying means connected with said cylinder, a ram-containing cylinder arranged to produce an operation of said power-applying means in opposition to the first cylinder, means for supplying liquid under pressure to said ram-containing cylinder, a ram-containing cylinder the ram of which is arranged to move the lever of the accumulator, both ramcontaining cylinders being in open communication with said liquid-supplyin g means, substantially as described.

36. The combination with the pressurechamber of a hydraulic accumulator and its plunger, of a liquid-containing chamber located above said pressure-chamber, aplun ger in said chamber, a pressure-applying lever connected to both plungers, a conduit connecting the two chambers the mouth of the conduit which enters the pressure-chamber being arranged to be opened and closed by the plunger in said chamber, a hydraulic cylinder, connections between said cylinder and the pressure-chamber of the accumulator, a

IIO

power-applying means connected with said cylinder, a ram-containing cylinder arranged to produce au operation of said power-applying means in opposition to the first cylinder, a, pump for supplying liquid under pressure to said ram-containing cylinder, a min-containing' cylinder the ram of which is arranged l to move the lever of the accumulator, bouh ram-containing cylinders being in open com- 

